Join us for a coffee chat with special counsel Jess Byrne from our insurance team and private client partner Scott Hay-Bartlem.

They discuss Jess's ten-year journey at Cooper Grace Ward, from starting in the firm's law clerk program in 2016 to her promotion to special counsel in the insurance team on 1 July 2026. Jess shares what she enjoys about working in the workers’ compensation and CTP space, including the variety of clients and the advocacy work she does at settlement meetings and mediations. She also gives a glimpse into her weekends, from playing hockey for a local Brisbane club to catching up with friends and family.

Welcome to Inside the Claim with CGW, Cooper GraceWard's workers' compensation podcast that offers a behind-the-scenes look at recent trial cases and expert insights from those who ran them.

In this episode, special counsel Damien Jarrett is joined by insurance claims adviser Catherine Dugdell to discuss Hoyes vWellways Australia Limited, a Queensland District Court claim brought by a residential care worker who suffered a psychiatric injury after a young person in her care threatened her with a razor blade before pushing her against a wall and threatening her with a lit lighter.

Damien and Catherine unpack the measures Wellways had inplace to manage the risk of injury, and examine the plaintiff's arguments that a second support worker should have been rostered on or that her care should have been relinquished earlier. They also discuss the modest quantum award, and impact of the pre-existing psychiatric condition that Ms Hoyes had not disclosed to her employer.

Join us for a coffee chat with special counsel Mark Cowan from our property, planning and environment team, and private client partner Scott Hay-Bartlem.

They discuss Mark's journey to Cooper Grace Ward after nearly 20 years in the industry, including time in-house and at top-tier firms, and what drew him to the firm's close-knit team culture. Mark also shares a glimpse into life at home with his wife and two young sons, and reflects on how planning and environment law has evolved into an ever-changing space touching urban development, renewables, infrastructure, agriculture and mining, along with the ongoing challenge of delivering infrastructure efficiently amid frequent shifts in government policy.

In this episode of SMSFs with CGW, partners Scott Hay-Bartlem and Clinton Jackson are joined by senior associate Keeghan Silcock to unpack the new rules banning SMSFs from using borrowings to acquire real estate that is not 'business real property'. They explain why this is not simply a ban on residential property, and cover the transitional rules, contract requirements and refinancing limits that apply from 10 August 2026.

In this episode, Vanessa Thompson from our property, planning and environment team joins private client partner Scott Hay-Bartlem to discuss her journey to Cooper Grace Ward and her experience at the firm.

They also reflect on how planning and environment law has evolved over the years, and touch on Vanessa’s life outside work with two kids and two corgis.

Welcome to Inside the Claim with CGW, Cooper Grace Ward's workers' compensation podcast that offers a behind-the scenes look at recent trial cases and expert insights from the lawyers who ran them.

In this episode, special counsel Damien Jarrett, Jess Byrne and Chris Murphy discuss Filippe v CCIG Investments Pty Ltd, a Magistrates Court claim arising from a workplace incident at Daydream Island Resort involving an executive housekeeper who injured her shoulder pulling a hotel room door shut against a gust of wind.

Jess and Chris unpack the inconsistencies in the plaintiff's evidence, including an unrelated shoulder injury from a 'Dirty Dancing' style lift five months earlier, and how those inconsistencies shaped the magistrate's findings on foreseeability and whether the forces involved were sufficient to cause the injury. They also cover the debate over door chocks and why the final award fell well short of the amount claimed.

Tune in for a candid look at how factual inconsistencies and expert evidence combine to defend a workplace injury claim through to trial.

Join us for a coffee chat with special counsel Rebecca Edwards and partner Scott Hay-Bartlem, both from our private client team. Together, they explore Rebecca’s journey from aged care to elder law, her passion for helping families through difficult times, and chat about her busy weekends with kids’ soccer and trips to the beach. Plus, they dive into the importance of enduring powers of attorney and the challenges clients face when navigating these legal complexities.

Welcome to Inside the Claim with CGW, Cooper Grace Ward’s workers’ compensation podcast that offers a behind-the-scenes look at recent trial cases and expert insights from those who ran them.

In this episode, special counsel Damien Jarrett is joined by insurance claims adviser Catherine Dugdell to discuss the District Court case of Sneddon v Petts. Damien and Catherine explore a workplace injury on a rural hobby farm involving a brush cutter, focusing on the disputes around liability and the credibility of evidence.

Catherine shares insights on the challenges of assessing witness reliability, managing pleadings, and navigating complex injury claims in a less conventional work environment. Tune in for practical reflections on preparing for trial and what it takes to secure a successful outcome.